Director of Strategic Partnerships

AIM, comprising AIM Academy and the AIM Institute for Learning & Research, is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing literacy through a research-to-practice approach. We are a community of educators, researchers, and leaders committed to shaping the future of learning by ensuring every learner develops a strong foundation in literacy and unlocks lifelong opportunity. Our core purpose is to transform and empower lives through literacy, with an ambitious goal of impacting 100 million lives. At AIM, we translate the latest scientific research into effective, evidence-based instructional practices, equipping educators with the knowledge, tools, and professional learning needed to drive meaningful outcomes for students. Through our Institute, we partner with schools, districts, and state education agencies to deliver scalable, research-backed professional development grounded in the science of reading. Through AIM Academy, we provide a college-preparatory education for students with language-based learning differences, applying research-based interventions in an innovative learning environment. At the intersection of research, innovation, and practice, AIM is working to create systemic change in literacy education nationwide and beyond. We are driven by a shared belief that when research and practice come together, all learners can thrive.

Because AIM is dedicated to creating a culture of equity and inclusion, candidates should value engaging in open dialogue, questioning, confronting assumptions, and attuning to all voices.  Please review AIM’s Equity and Diversity Statement online.

At AIM, our hiring process reflects our culture, ethics, and core values: Care for Others, Creative Problem Solving, Commitment to Excellence, and a Can-Do Attitude. 

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Director of Strategic Partnership to grow AIM’s partnership efforts, with a focus on driving revenue and expanding the reach of our products and professional learning into new markets. This role is responsible for identifying, developing, and securing partnerships beyond AIM’s current core work with states and districts, expanding into areas such as higher education, tutoring, teacher development, and service-oriented organizations. These partnerships should translate into meaningful implementation and sustained impact. Through this work, you will help advance AIM’s mission to impact 100 million lives through literacy.

We encourage applications from individuals with experience leading revenue-generating work in education who are comfortable operating in an outward-facing role with senior leaders. If you are motivated by building partnerships that lead to meaningful adoption and sustained growth, we want to hear from you - even if you do not meet every qualification listed.

What you’ll do

We seek a Director of Strategic Partnerships with experience working across state agencies, districts, charter networks, philanthropy, and national education organizations. The ideal candidate will be a disciplined operator who can build and manage a strong partnership pipeline, engage senior leaders with credibility, and carry work from initial conversation through to agreement and implementation. This role involves driving revenue growth through partnerships while ensuring that work is aligned, executable, and leads to sustained adoption and impact. You will:

• Continuously assess the landscape by gathering market intelligence and maintaining a deep understanding of state, district, and school network priorities, as well as national context and trends that shape AIM’s work.
• Own and drive a partnership pipeline that expands AIM’s work into new sectors by identifying, developing, securing, and managing partnerships that extend the reach of AIM’s products and professional learning while generating sustainable revenue.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with senior leaders through regular engagement, including calls, in-person visits, regional events, and support of partnership work in the field.
• Execute a partnership strategy in conjunction with the Sales and Implementation teams across new sectors, including early childhood, higher education, tutoring, teacher development, and service-oriented partners, fostering cross-functional coordination to support high-impact partnerships.
• Use data to build, monitor, and continuously refine partnership pipeline forecasts in collaboration with sales leadership.
• Translate insights from the field into clear guidance for senior leadership and internal teams, ensuring alignment across partnership opportunities, products, and professional learning offerings.

What we need from you

• A track record of building and securing strategic education partnerships with state agencies, school districts, charter networks, and national organizations that drive meaningful growth, implementation, and revenue.
• Ability to build and leverage relationships to advance educational policy priorities and execute on a government affairs strategy
• Maintain a robust network across the education sector, including advocacy groups, industry influencers, thought leaders, and policy think tanks that help shape the broader education landscape.
• Demonstrated success owning and driving a partnership pipeline from initial engagement through agreement and implementation, with consistent follow-through.
• Strong alignment with AIM’s approach to literacy, grounded in a deep understanding of how students learn to read and what high-quality, research-based instruction requires in practice.
• Experience working across sales, implementation, and product teams to ensure partnerships are executable and sustained.
• Credibility and presence to engage and influence senior leaders.
• Strong judgment with the ability to prioritize effectively, focus on high-value opportunities, and walk away from work that does not align.
• Disciplined, outcomes-oriented approach, with the ability to use data to inform decisions and maintain accountability for results.
• Clear, direct written and oral communication, with the ability to represent AIM with credibility in high-stakes settings.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound, timely decisions in complex, fast-moving environments.

What we offer

• The opportunity to build and shape high-impact partnerships that expand the reach of AIM’s work and improve outcomes for students and educators.
• An innovative, collaborative, inclusive culture with opportunities for growth and leadership
• Flexible working arrangements (remote, hybrid, or on-site)
• Paid holidays, 3 days off during spring break, 7 days off during winter break, PTO, vacation, personal days, and sick time.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan

To Apply:

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to our Human Resources Manager, Cheryl Ferst at cferst@aimpa.org.